1997 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution: Dakar Dreams
Here’s a car I have been fascinated by for a long time. It’s the Pajero Mitsubishi Evolution.
My mum drove a Pajero, and the day we took ownership was one I will never forget. Mum and Dad had been playing down the whole thought of buying a large 4×4, stating they simply cost too much. Devastating news to a young car-obsessed lad like myself. See, I grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne, almost rural, and the ultimate status symbol was not a flash Merc or BMW, but a full-size 4×4. A Patrol, LandCruiser or, Pajero.
So you can imagine my excitement when, waiting at the school fence for mum to pick me up one standard weekday- watching the onslaught of Patrols and Cruisers on pickup duty; that I notice a shiny new Pajero rolling down the street. That’s interesting I thought. I haven’t seen this car before (it was a small town). “What a minute” I thought as it slowly pulls up right infront of me. “Is that, is that mum?” I thought.
Surely not.
It was.
My parents had gone all in. A fully loaded Pajero GLS in blue over silver. The purchase no doubt crippled them financially, but it was a big moment for our family- especially Mum, who had upgraded from a Ford Laser. Our trusty Paj stuck in the family for almost two decades after that day. My siblings and I all learned to drive in it, and we all no doubt got into some mischief exploring its capabilities. Explaining to dad how I burnt out the very expensive hydraulic clutch was a fun experience- *cough* 4wd burnouts *cough*. It was then sold to a close family friend, who is still driving it to this day.
Why am I seemingly rambling on about a car that would be deemed by many as a vanilla family truckster? Well, rewind to the mid-nineties, and the humble Paj was in its prime. Nothing like what it is now (an outdated caravan accessory), the Paj was Japan’s best luxury 4×4 offering. Sure, the little 3.0 Petrol V6 lacked torque, and the Patrol/LandCruiser crew would always have the last laugh in the bush. But unlike those two, the Pajero was more car than truck. A smooth, tight 5 speed, remotely locking hubs and a clever interior that was packed with cool features. Oh, and the biggest damn sunroof tiny 10-year-old me had ever seen, let alone hang out the top like some sort of sorority sister on spring break. Part minivan, part sports car, part capable 4×4.
So, it would seem then that Mitsubishi was seemingly onto a good thing. Where to next, then?
Well, naturally, this:
I remember seeing the Pajero Evolution for the first time in one of my dad’s Wheels magazines. My jaw dropped. Such an inspiring car for all suburban kids. Yes, my mum’s Pajero, in my mind, was from the same stock as the hulking beast you see before you. From an era when Mitsubishi had some guts and carelessness about itself (pre-ASX), they went and turned their family 4×4 into a full-blown Dakar Rally homologation special. The world’s first proper Sport 4×4. Pre AMG M-Class, pre RR Sport, pre-everything. Mitsubishi had gone and started a genre that would continue to evolve to this very day.
If I had the money, I would take this in a heartbeat. No question (even with the auto). Such a unique and interesting car, and finished in that Tommi Makinen Red. Dear me. Plus, Jackie Chan owned one, so, there’s that.
I wont ramble on anymore, as the owner has done a great job of explaining the car themselves in the ad. It is currently for sale for 55k in Sydney. You can check it out on the “Unwanted BIG BOYS TOYS Australia” Facebook page here (you’ll have to join up).
The original ad reads like this:
“For all that don’t know what you are looking at is a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution of which only 2,500 were ever made during the model’s short life cycle between the years 1997 and 1999. Why precisely that number? Because Mitsubishi had to make at least 2,500 road-legal vehicles in order to homologate the racy off-roader for the gruelling Dakar Rally, which it dominated in the T2 class by triumphing in 1997 and 1998.
To this day Mitsubishi is the most successful manufacturer to compete in this Dakar class, Needless to say, Mitsubishi achieved their goal and made one super unusual, very rare performance 4×4. Thus the Pajero Evolution was born, complete with a 3.5-liter V6 MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) engine developing 276 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 256 pound-feet (347 Newton-meters) from 3,000 rpm.
The special edition was created in the so-called era of the “gentleman’s agreement” in Japan during which output was maxed out at 276 hp. Both front and rear tracks were widened compared to the regular short-wheelbase Pajero, while front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials were installed. Mitsubishi also developed a long-travel suspension for the Vehicle.
To make it stand out furthermore from the regular Pajero, Mitsubishi gave the hotter Evolution version a more aggressive body with those funky Batmobile-inspired rear winglets. At the front, the reworked bumper had four fog lights, bespoke aluminium hood and a prominent skid plate to further enhance the model’s ruggedness. Inside, a pair of body-hugging Recaro seats was installed to complete the package. Pajero Evolution comes in 3 different colours (White, Silver and Red) Red being to most sort after and rarest colour.
Being the rare R71 Red (Same as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition 6.5) makes it a true collector.
It was sold out of Japan as a 4B with auction Papers. Also comes with
- JEVIC odometer certification
- Original Owners / Service Books
- Toolkit
- Oz Racing Wheels
- Original Pajero Evolution Wheels
- RalliArt Mud Flaps
This is the First Australian complaince model and can be registered in any state in Australia.
This Vehicle has been an asset to me for some time but it’s now the time to part away with it to pursue other commitments.
Serious inquiries only so please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Asking $55,000 but willing to entertain serious offers.
Will assist with Interstate transport and International export.”